Blogs

TV news gets a lot of bad press, so it's nice to see really good work get recognized. KING 5 investigative reporter Susannah Frame, whom we singled out as one of Seattle's Most Influential people in our November issue, has received the broadcasting equivalent of a Pulitzer Prize for her ongoing "Waste on the Water" series that uncovered questionable spending practices at Washington State Ferries.

Must SeeHomo for the HolidaysThrough 12/24 - Directed by boylesque star Ben de la Crème, this comedic cabaret show features a raucous lineup of local GLBT talent including Fuchsia Foxxx and the Cherdonna and Lou show. $15–$20. OddfellowsHall, West Hall, 915 E Pine St.; 206.324.7263; centuryballroom.com

(Goodbye house) Holiday breakfast? Scones are a snap. These have fiber (whole grain pastry flour) and are not too sweet. Just right with a some scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee. For printable recipe, click here. Merry Christmas morning!

If you find yourself downtown early next week finishing up your shopping, be sure to keep your eye out for the man of the hour, St. Nicholas himself. The Sorrento Santa will be making his annual rounds of the city on the Candy Cane Cruise, checking up on who’s been naughty and nice and handing out everyone’s favorite Christmas treat while he’s at it (1,000 of which will be made even sweeter with Hunt Club discounts).

On Wednesday, we heard that Revel, the new Korean street-eats place from the owners/chefs at Joule, is opening today! And that Scott Staples' Uneeda Burger will open in a week or so. That's great news for Fremonters.

Must Say SIFF Cinema: Labyrinth Quote Along Friday - Sunday (12/17- 12/19) - SIFF Cinema takes audiences into the magical and impossibly cool world of Jim Henson’s 1986 film, Labyrinth, starring David Bowie himself as the Goblin King. The best part of the show? this showing includes a quote-along with subtitles for all of your favorite lines ("You have no power over me!") and sing-along lyrics. Prices vary. SIFF Cinema, 321 Mercer St.; 206.448.2186; siff.net
Must-See Short Stories Live: Holiday Classics

Christmas approach-eth! Whether that statement throws you into fits of glee or sheer panic, we’re barreling down the home stretch towards gift-giving, family gatherings and rockin’ New Year's parties. As you head out for the last-minute touches this weekend, take note of the new shops and sales: In this month's issue, I had a minor gush-session over Regina Chang’s earthy, organic inspired jewels.

Seattle’s pop-culture image can be described in three words: rain, coffee and grunge music. Sure, we have an umbrella-named music festival (Bumbershoot) and the city seems to run on caffeine, but grunge music? You can still find flannel, but Seattle’s music scene has evolved significantly since the Doc Martens were shelved. A web-based, music film series, $5 Cover: Seattle, was created in partnership between local filmmaker Lynn Shelton and MTV.

If you wanna have a holly jolly Christmas but still haven't picked out a tree, now is the time! And why not make a day of it by driving out to a tree farm and picking and cutting your own? Some local tree farms that will let you have at their stock include: Enchanted Winds Choose and Cut Christmas Tree Farm (18021 Issaquah-Hobart Rd, Issaquah, WA 98027, 425.432.4573) Ronnei Christmas Tree Farm (11210 Carnation-Duvall Road NE, Carnation, WA 98014, 425.788.1705) Mountain Creek Tree Farm (6821 440th Ave SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98085, 425.888.1770).

A little puzzled about which bubbly to serve your holiday guests this season? The Local Vine is offering a fun way to learn (and taste!) the difference between champagne and other sparkling wines this Thursday, December 16th at 6pm-8pm. A collection of over 20 bubbly wines will be poured, including bottles that range in price from $10 to over $200. Some selections offered include Grand Marque Champagne, Grower Champagne, California Sparkling, as well as other hard to find, specially produced samples from around the world.

In celebration of Tamara Murphy's new book, Tender: Farmers, Cooks, Eaters, Tamara along with Chris Curtis of the Neighborhood Farmers Market Alliance, is hosting an all-day book signing event at the newly remodeled Reading Room at the Pioneer Square Elliott Bay Cafe this Thursday from 11am to 5pm. Or join Murphy for bubbles and bites (from the cookbook, natch) from 5:30 to 8:30pm (rspv to tamara@tamaramurphy.com).

With the swirl of multiple magazine deadlines clomping around in my head this time of year, I barely have time to make a dent in my shopping list, but I had to pause and share my favorite kids' gift of the year before it got too close to the holidays for you to order them.